AOC pushes back when asked if she will challenge Chuck Schumer in primary

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders pushed back when CNN's Kaitlan Collins asked the Democratic Rep if she would challenge Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a primary.

The duo took part in a CNN town hall on Wednesday, October 15, where the young New York City Rep was asked by Collins whether  Schumer should be worried about a primary challenge from her. They soon raised their voices as they criticized its premise and took aim at Republicans.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez rejects questions about challenging Chuck Schumer

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez replied to Kaitlan Collins' question and said, "I mean, no, because I don't think this is about anything… This is what we're talking about!"

Meanwhile, as she began to answer, Bernie Sanders interjected and said, "Let me jump in on this one."

He added, "That's exactly what we're talking… we have a country that is falling apart! We had a housing crisis, a health care crisis, an education crisis, massive income and wealth inequality, corrupt campaign finances, and the media says, ‘Are you going to run? What are you going to run for?’ Nobody cares!"

However, CNN's Kaitlan Collins said that Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump have recently questioned whether Ocasio-Cortez might challenge Schumer in 2026 while reacting to the senator’s claim that the media focuses more on potential campaigns than national issues.

Sanders added that Vance and Trump are raising this question to "deflect attention away from the real issues" before adding what he felt were the main issues impacting Americans today.

"We're living in the richest country in the history of the world, right? All right, you tell me why we're the only nation not to guarantee health care to all people. The only nation not to guarantee paid family and medical leave, why we have a $7.25 an hour minimum wage, why we have 800,000 people sleeping out on the street," the Senator said.

He added, "Let’s talk about that issue — not her political future. She’ll decide that."

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's controversial remark to Republicans

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's aspirations within the Democratic Party have been questioned in the past as well amid party infighting over Schumer's handling of the ongoing government shutdown.

In early October, AOC appeared on MSNBC to discuss the shutdown and told Republicans, "My office is open, and you are free to walk in and negotiate with me directly." 

Her statement sparked speculation from Republicans about who's actually leading the Democratic Party.

Following her comments, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi had a sharp exchange with a reporter after being asked whether Republicans should negotiate with AOC to end the shutdown.

She was asked by the reporter, "There was a thought from the Republicans that AOC is directing this, and she said that senators are welcome to go to her office directly. Is she driving that?"

However, Pelosi fired back, "Why are you saying such a ridiculous thing? he’s wonderful, she’s a real team player, and the rest of that. You started by saying Republicans say that she’s directing this. She is not, Hakeem Jeffries is."